Older Adults' Parasocial Relationships with Favorite Television Characters and Depressive Symptoms

Older adults can form parasocial relationships with favorite television characters, and these relationships often serve as sources of companionship. Using the selection, optimization, and compensation model as a guiding framework, this study explored whether or not attachment anxiety and relationshi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health communication 2020-01, Vol.35 (2), p.168-179
Main Authors: Bernhold, Quinten S., Metzger, Miriam
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Aged
Aging
Anxiety
Characters
Children
Compensation
Depression - psychology
Family relations
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Mental depression
Older children
Older people
Optimization
Parent-Child Relations
Psychological Theory
Quality
Romantic relationships
Television
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Summary:Older adults can form parasocial relationships with favorite television characters, and these relationships often serve as sources of companionship. Using the selection, optimization, and compensation model as a guiding framework, this study explored whether or not attachment anxiety and relationship quality with romantic partners and children moderate the associations between parasocial relationships and depressive symptoms. A series of three-way interactions emerged in predicting depressive symptoms. Among other findings, stronger parasocial relationships predicted an increase in depressive symptoms for anxious older adults in low-quality parent-child relationships. Older adults' individual characteristics and family relationships may qualify how they experience parasocial relationships with favorite television characters.
ISSN:1041-0236
1532-7027
DOI:10.1080/10410236.2018.1548336